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Switzerland donates $4 million COVID relief to Sri Lanka

The Government of Switzerland donated $4 million to Sri Lanka last month to combat the spread of the coronavirus on the island.

The relief included half a million antigen tests, 50 ventilators, 150 oxygen concentrators and testing materials. 

The Swiss Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dominik Furgler, met with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister on June 28, to handover the relief package. During the meeting, the two state representatives discussed the need to reactivate the Sri Lanka-Swiss Parliamentary Friendship Association (SLSPFA). Ambassador Furgler also assured Mahinda Rajapaksa that his Government is willing to assist the development of activities and services of Sri Lanka's hospitality sector. 

Sri Lanka Unites, a youth movement, partnered with the Swiss Embassy and distributed, among other medical supplies, over 1,000 care packs to COVID-19 patients in Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Hambantota and Gampaha. 

In its mission to support nations in containing the spread of the virus, Switzerland supplied tonnes of COVID relief supplies to South Asian countries, including India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In 2020, Switzerland had also contributed $1 million to Sri Lanka in its efforts to combat the virus. 

Read more here and here.

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